Manchester Airport to replace ‘naked’ body scanners after EU fails to approve them

In October, Manchester will replace its fully body scanners that show an outline image of a person’s naked body with less intrusive, cartoon-style images (photo example, above).

Manchester Airport is being forced to withdraw controversial full-body scanners, after the European Commission failed to approve the technology for permanent use.

The ‘backscatter’ scanners – which produce a ‘ghost-like’ outline of a person’s naked body to detect concealments under clothing – have been criticised over claims they invade people’s privacy.

The machines have been trialled at Manchester Airport since 2009 and will be replaced by “privacy friendly” scanners in October when its three-year trial ends, airport officials said.

The new machines use radio-frequency-based millimetre wave technology, rather than lose dose x-rays to screen passengers.

They also use a computer to analyse body scans- not the human eye. The computer then alerts airport staff to potential threats on a cartoon-like figure.

Manchester Airport bosses are frustrated that Brussels has failed to mandate the technology for permanent use at the airport – despite a report by the European Commission this year which found that the scanners posed “negligible” health risks.

Health experts claim that the radiation dose from backscatter scanners is equal to two minutes flying on a plane – although some experts have concerns about the long-term health effects, which have not been ruled out.

“We’re baffled by this situation because health experts say they are safe, plus the overwhelming majority of our passengers and security staff prefer body scanners to frisking and it’s frustrating that Brussels has allowed this successful trial to end,” said Andrew Harrison, the chief operating officer at Manchester Airport Group (M.A.G).

While the EC is reluctant to approve backscatter body scanners, they are in use at many US airports.

The US Transport Security Administration (TSA) maintains that they operate “well within applicable national safety standards”.

Manchester Airport will bring in the new security scanners in October – in a trial expected to last three months.

What others have said

Yeah it’s normal when your nughiboer is freakin wachko. In Canada we too this nice invention. If I ever have to take the plane, I think I will go the airport stark naked. That way the job will be easy for a godamn english canadian assholes who love being stupid godamn Americans. It’s not funny Snoot. Obama is really a fine piece of manure indeed. You bet I’m mad. Your country Snoot is losing any decency it ever had and we have continually to support these psychopathic paranoid killers. What’s next with Obanana ? A RDFI chip in the ass ? You bet that this morming I am emitting hostile brain waves when I thing of your political claas; that cesspool of shit. Yeah I am in shape today. You like being treated like cattle in the USA.